Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2006
102 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of recent developments where the IFA has withdrawn their support for Self Help, he has investigated the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40909/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra103 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent media coverage, he has satisfied himself with the corporate governance procedures within Self Help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40910/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
Irish Aid has had a positive relationship with Self Help Development International (SHDI) for over 20 years. From 2003 to 2006, SHDI received almost €10 million from Irish Aid under our Multi Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS). MAPS is an Irish Aid funding scheme which aims to strengthen the strategic and programmatic planning of the larger Irish NGOs through a flexible and predictable funding framework.
The five MAPS partners — Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Christian Aid and SHDI — were invited to participate in a second MAPS programme to commence next year. Unfortunately, SHDI have since encountered well-publicised difficulties relating to its own governance, which are ongoing. These difficulties were not, in any way, of Irish Aid's making. We were assured on several occasions that these difficulties were at an end. This has proven not to be the case. The difficulties have worsened considerably in recent weeks with the less than amicable dissolution of the formal relationship between SHDI, which is steeped in the rural community, and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). SHDI had been the IFA's designated Third World development agency since its foundation 20 years ago. Inevitably, the combined effect of these public difficulties will have a significant impact on the support that SHDI has enjoyed for many years from rural communities.
SHDI's boardroom divisions give rise to serious concerns, taking into consideration their impact on the organisation and the significant amount of public monies that Irish Aid has been allocating to SHDI. Accordingly, and regrettably, SHDI were recently informed that it was not feasible to continue to process their application for funding under the second phase of the MAPS Programme for the period 2007- 2011. It is not possible at this time to consider entering into a multi-annual funding commitment having regard to the level of public monies concerned and the deterioration in the financial and organisational stability which is a central requirement from all our MAPS partners. We are continuing to engage in discussions with SHDI to see how best we can continue to work together to ensure, insofar as possible, the continuance of their highly-regarded programmes in developing countries.
It is critical that the beneficiaries of SHDI's programmes in Africa do not suffer on account of governance issues here at home. Irish Aid very much hopes that SHDI will be able, in due course, to place their current difficulties behind them.
